Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has "gained a lot of trust from the coaching staff just in terms of how he worked, and we feel good about it," assistant general manager Glenn Cook said. After setting a college football record with 63 starts over six seasons divided among Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon, the third-round pick impressed the Browns' coaches enough to beat out fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders and now-Las Vegas Raider Kenny Pickett for the backup QB job. The new role doesn't faze Gabriel, who told Zac Jackson of The Athletic: "It's not daunting. I have ultimate confidence in myself and who I am." Gabriel looked decent in two preseason games, going 25-for-37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him starting at some point in 2025. The only real roadblock is 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco, a stopgap who has played in nine or fewer games in seven straight seasons.
Aug 30, 2025 7:40 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed on Tuesday that rookie third-round quarterback Dillon Gabriel will begin the season as the team's No. 2 QB behind veteran starter Joe Flacco, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Gabriel was ahead of fifth-round rookie signal-caller Shedeur Sanders on the team's QB depth chart for all of training camp and the preseason, and he'll now be the primary backup to Flacco to begin his first NFL season after Cleveland traded Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. Gabriel, 24, dealt with a hamstring injury of his own during camp but was able to play in the final two preseason games and edge out Sanders for the backup role. He went 25-for-37 for 272 yards, one touchdown and a pick in two preseason games. The Browns might be in serious trouble if Gabriel or Sanders make any starts in 2025.
Aug 26, 2025 5:31 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is slated to claim a spot on the 53-man roster officially. Earlier on Sunday, the Browns opted to release quarterback Tyler Huntley, leaving them with four options on their depth chart. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Browns have planned to keep four quarterbacks on their roster for some time, suggesting that Gabriel's position is safe. The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon. During their preseason finale this past weekend, Gabriel entered the game after the starter Joe Flacco, which suggests the team views the Oregon product as the No. 2 option on the depth chart. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be in a good position to make his NFL debut early in the season if he can open the campaign as the backup.
Aug 24, 2025 7:17 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 12 of his 19 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown in a 19-17 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. Gabriel took over for Joe Flacco early in the second quarter and looked good, finding Gage Larvadain for a three-yard touchdown completion at the end of the quarter. The rookie has been battling with Shedeur Sanders for the backup QB role behind Flacco throughout camp. Gabriel easily outplayed Sanders on Saturday as the latter only converted one first down on his five drives, all of which resulted in a punt. Gabriel is likely to be the team's backup to Flacco when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
Aug 24, 2025 7:08 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 13 of his 18 passes for 143 yards and an interception in a 22-13 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. Gabriel also rushed twice for one yard and lost a fumble in the win. The rookie signal-caller got off to a fast start, completing eight of his nine pass attempts in the first quarter before cooling off in the second. Gabriel led a touchdown drive and two field-goal drives during his half of play, but his interception was ugly as he threw a 75-yard pick-six early in the second quarter. Gabriel, who missed last week's preseason opener with a hamstring injury, will look to continue to compete to open the regular season as the Browns' starting quarterback. The team's preseason finale comes against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.
Aug 17, 2025 6:45 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is expected to start Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the team. With the Browns battling injuries under center, the rookie third-round pick from Oregon will take the reins in a meeting with the defending Super Bowl champions. Expected Week 1 starter Joe Flacco is resting, while Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is limited with a hamstring injury, and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) suffered an oblique strain earlier this week. Sanders turned heads in a preseason-opening 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers last week. Gabriel didn't play in that game as a result of a hamstring injury, but he'll have his chance to stand out on Saturday. He and veteran Tyler Huntley are expected to be the only available Cleveland QBs.
Aug 16, 2025 11:56 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) is expected to start the team's second preseason game Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie third-round pick didn't play in the first exhibition game due to his hamstring issue. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Gabriel will only miss the start if there's a setback or soreness after practices. Gabriel's absence last week opened the door for fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) to start the first preseason game. Sanders was in line for an encore start before an oblique injury took him out of the running. Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is also nursing an injury. Cleveland is currently rostering six quarterbacks and may carry four into the regular season. Neither rookie is scheduled for immediate playing time with 40-year-old Joe Flacco widely expected to be the Week 1 starter.
Aug 14, 2025 11:34 AM EST
With Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) now unlikely to play in the second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) now has a chance to start this weekend and get extended time in his first taste of NFL action, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. The Browns are likely to keep veteran Joe Flacco out again, while Kenny Pickett (hamstring) still hasn't return to team drills in practices. Along with Gabriel, Tyler Huntley should see plenty of run for the second straight preseason game with the team's QB room pretty banged up. The 24-year-old Gabriel was listed as the QB3 on the team's second unofficial depth chart of the preseason, but he's reportedly been outplayed by Sanders so far this summer as the two young signal-callers merely try to prove they belong on the team beyond the 2025 season.
Aug 13, 2025 6:19 PM EST
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders has "generally outplayed Dillon Gabriel throughout camp." Sanders also "delivered a steady, poised performance" last Friday in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, who played most of their defensive starters the first two series. Despite the fact that Sanders impressed during the preseason opener and threw two touchdowns, he was still listed as fourth on the QB depth chart this week behind Gabriel. Gabriel missed the preseason opener due to a minor hamstring injury, but he's been back at practice and could start the second preseason game this Saturday against the Eagles. If Gabriel struggles this week, it's possible that Sanders could pass him on the unofficial depth chart. Either way, neither Sanders nor Gabriel are realistic contenders for the starting gig come Week 1.
Aug 12, 2025 3:24 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) is back at practice on Monday and could play this week, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The rookie did not play in Cleveland's first preseason game as fellow first-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders saw extended time. Gabriel, a third-round pick, figures to be part of the 53-man roster for the Browns, who have what is likely the murkiest quarterback situation in the NFL. Deshaun Watson (achilles) is facing a long-term absence, leaving the quartet of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Sanders, and Gabriel to compete for reps. In one-QB formats, this entire mess can be safely avoided.
Aug 11, 2025 10:33 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been "wildly down and wildly inaccurate in recent days," according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Jackson notes that Gabriel still gets reps ahead of fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders but "has done nothing to make anyone observing believe he's ready to be trusted as a No. 2 quarterback." A third-round pick out of Oregon, Gabriel appears to be significantly behind veteran Joe Flacco, who is the reported favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Cleveland out of camp. It seems like both Gabriel and Sanders are likely also behind Kenny Pickett (hamstring), who is recovering from a hamstring injury but is the favorite to win the backup job. Based on this report, Gabriel should not be expected to push for playing time early in his rookie season.
Aug 3, 2025 2:54 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel was first up in team drills at mandatory minicamp for the second straight day on Wednesday and is going up against the first-team defense, according to The Chronicle Telegram's Scott Petrak. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into the Browns QB reps during offseason workouts, as head coach Kevin Stefanski said that rookies Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will probably require more reps as they get acclimated to the NFL game. The Browns are conducting an open competition at QB, but the expectation is that it will come down to either veteran Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett. Gabriel, 24, stands at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds and could open the year as the No. 3 ahead of Sanders. He has plenty of experience playing for three different teams in college in addition to a strong arm and a good feel in the pocket. He's strictly a dynasty/keeper stash in 2025.
Jun 11, 2025 12:32 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns have signed third-round rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel to a four-year contract. Per Sports Illustrated, the deal is worth roughly $6.2 million and includes a $1.16 million signing bonus. That leaves No. 36 overall selection, running back Quinshon Judkins, as the last pick to sign his rookie contract. Gabriel is set to battle it out with fellow signal-callers Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Shedeur Sanders for a chance at manning the helm of Cleveland's offense. Neither rookie projects to make an impact early on, though one of, if not both of them, could see snaps by season's end. Flacco figures to get the first crack at the starting job unless Pickett can outduel him leading up to the regular season. Still, unless Pickett has drastically improved from his time as a Steeler, he won't hold Gabriel or Sanders off for long. All four of them may see time on the field in 2025.
Jun 7, 2025 3:25 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel appears to be a longshot to win the starting gig to begin the season. Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes there's really no scenario where Gabriel wins the No. 1 spot on Day 1. This news shouldn't really shock anyone as Gabriel was a third-round pick during this year's draft. It's not often that third-round quarterbacks get to start under center Day 1, but that doesn't mean Gabriel is doomed. Both Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders have uphill battles ahead of themselves heading into training camp. It looks like it's going to be a four-quarterback battle between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Sanders, and Gabriel. Both rookie quarterbacks are worth stashing in dynasty leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect them to be relevant for Week 1.
May 30, 2025 8:21 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders said that he and fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, who was surprisingly taken in the third round of this year's NFL draft, are making the best of an unforeseen union and are "truly cool" with each other. "Everything's been cool," Sanders said. "He's a cool person. I like how he handles situations, especially just the negative media that's coming his way. I'm just happy he's positive, he's able to handle everything. We're truly cool." Sanders also said the two are "for sure" learning from each other in a unique QB competition in Cleveland this offseason that also includes veteran Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Sanders' fall from being a potential top-five pick to going in the fifth round was the top story of this year's draft, and he has his work cut out for him to even land a backup role with the Browns.
May 26, 2025 12:31 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns have selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the 94th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns have been linked to various members of the quarterback class for quite a while, and now, they finally pull the trigger in the back half of the third round. Gabriel is the fifth signal-caller off the board, joining Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Jalen Milroe. Interestingly, Shedeur Sanders, who was once mentioned as a candidate for Cleveland at No. 2 overall, remains available as many quarterback-needy teams opt for different players. Gabriel played six seasons of college football, with stops at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Replacing Bo Nix with the Ducks in 2024, Gabriel completed 326 of his 447 pass attempts for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also showcased his mobility with 149 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Gabriel will likely compete with Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco while the Browns wait for Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to get healthy.
Apr 25, 2025 10:58 PM EST
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